Valentine’s Day is all about love, and let’s be honest, love can be messy, complicated, heart-pounding, and completely unforgettable. It’s the month of love, and we definitely recommend cuddling up under your favorite blanket, enjoying a chocolate binge, and obviously, armed with a swoon-worthy young adult romance novel. 

Get ready to be swept off your feet and have your heart skip a beat because we have put together a list of the perfect Valentine’s reads! Big sigh.

Young Adult Valentine Day Novels

Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross

In a world where gods wage war, Divine Rivals follows eighteen-year-old journalist Iris Winnow, who dreams of securing a columnist promotion at the Oath Gazette while dealing with personal struggles—her mother’s addiction and her brother’s mysterious absence on the battlefield.

Seeking solace, Iris writes letters to her missing brother and slips them beneath her wardrobe door, unaware that they are magically reaching her workplace rival, Roman Kitt. Initially anonymous, Roman writes back, and the two unknowingly forge a deep connection through their heartfelt exchanges. As their relationship unfolds, Iris is drawn into the heart of the war, facing danger on the front lines in her quest to find her brother.

Blending elements of romance, magic, and war, Divine Rivals is a gripping rivals-to-lovers story filled with heartbreak, hope, and the power of love in the face of divine conflict.

Heartstopper Series by Alice Oseman

Heartstopper: Volume 1 is a heartwarming graphic novel that beautifully captures the joys and struggles of first love, identity, and self-acceptance.

The story follows Charlie Spring, an openly gay and anxious Year 10 student at Truham Grammar School for Boys, and Nick Nelson, a friendly and popular rugby player in Year 11. When they are assigned to sit next to each other in class, an unexpected friendship blossoms. Charlie quickly develops feelings for Nick but assumes they are unrequited—after all, Nick is a rugby-playing, seemingly straight guy. However, as their bond deepens, Nick begins to question his own feelings and identity, leading to a touching and authentic journey of self-discovery.

With its tender romance, relatable characters, and wholesome representation, Heartstopper: Volume 1 is an uplifting and inclusive coming-of-age story that resonates with readers of all backgrounds, particularly those in the LGBTQ+ community.

Check and Mate by Ali Hazelwood

Check and Mate is a charming and witty romance that blends rivalry, family struggles, and the world of competitive chess into a captivating story of love and self-discovery.

Mallory Greenleaf walked away from chess years ago after it contributed to her family's downfall. Now, her only focus is on supporting her mother and sisters while juggling a dead-end job. But when she reluctantly agrees to play in a charity chess tournament, she unexpectedly defeats world champion Nolan Sawyer, known as the "Kingkiller." Her shocking win catapults her back into the competitive chess world, with Nolan himself eager for a rematch.

As Mallory climbs the ranks, she struggles to balance her growing success with her family's past traumas, all while resisting (well, failing to resist) the undeniable tension between her and Nolan. As sparks fly on and off the board, she must decide whether to walk away from the game again—or embrace the unexpected moves life has in store.

With humor, heart, and plenty of swoon-worthy moments, Check & Mate is a delightful enemies-to-lovers romance perfect for those of you who love smart, emotional, and fiercely competitive love stories.

Salt and Sugar by Rebecca Carvalho

Salt and Sugar is a heartwarming enemies-to-lovers rom-com set in the vibrant town of Olinda, Brazil, where family, tradition, and love collide in the sweetest way.

Lari Ramires has grown up believing two things: never trust a thin-bottomed frying pan, and never trust a Molina. Her family’s bakery, Salt, has been feuding with the Molinas’ bakery, Sugar, for generations. But when Lari’s beloved grandmother passes away and a large supermarket chain threatens to put both bakeries out of business, she finds herself in an unexpected alliance with Pedro Molina—her supposed enemy.

As Lari and Pedro work together to save their family legacies, she begins to realize that her rival might not be the villain she always believed. With the fate of their bakeries hanging in the balance, they must decide if old grudges are worth holding onto—or if love, like a perfectly baked pastry, is best when shared.

The Charmed List by Julie Abe

The Charmed List is a magical and heartwarming young adult romance that blends adventure, self-discovery, and a touch of enchantment.

Ellie Kobata has always been a wallflower, keeping to herself and hiding her true identity—she belongs to a secret magical community that no one outside of it can know about. Determined to break out of her shell before senior year, she creates an Anti-Wallflower List with thirteen goals to help her take risks and embrace life. But when one of her plans—getting revenge on her former best friend, Jack Yasuda—goes horribly wrong, Ellie finds herself stuck on a road trip with him instead of enjoying her summer with her best friend, Lia.

As Ellie and Jack travel to a magical convention along the California coast, old wounds resurface, but so do sparks of something new. With whimsical magic, unforgettable adventures, and the possibility of love, Ellie begins to realize that the most unexpected journeys can lead to the most enchanting destinations.

A charming and feel-good story, The Charmed List is perfect for fans of magical realism, childhood friendships rekindled, and sweet romance wrapped in a little bit of magic.

Young Adult Book Box Love Stories

Where You See Yourself by Claire Forrest

Effie Galanos is on a mission to live her best life, starting with finding the perfect college. As she navigates senior year, Effie faces unique challenges as a student who uses mobility aids, but she’s determined not to let anything stop her. 

Along the way, her crush on Wilder, a longtime friend, complicates her journey of self-discovery. Where You See Yourself beautifully combines themes of love, independence, and dreaming big. This empowering romance is a reminder that the right path isn’t always the easiest one, but it’s worth taking.

🌟 Our May 2023 “Finding Her Voice” YA book box featured Where You See Yourself and included three thoughtful gifts to bring Effie’s inspiring story to life!

Wild About You by Kaitlyn Hill

Wild About You is a grumpy-sunshine romance that takes the idea of opposites attract to the great outdoors. Natalie Hart is outgoing, unapologetic, and totally out of her element on the Appalachian Trail. 

But when losing her merit scholarship pushes her to join a rugged reality show, she’s willing to trade her skincare routine for bug spray. Her assigned teammate, Finn Markum, is as outdoorsy as they come—and he has no time for Natalie’s quirks. Yet, as the trail tests their patience, Natalie and Finn’s friction starts feeling suspiciously like chemistry. This heartwarming story shows that sometimes, love doesn’t follow a map—it creates its own path.

🌟 Our “Wild Hearts” June 2024 Young Adult Book Box featured this fabulous novel and four stunning gifts that brought Natalie and Finn’s adventure to life!

The Davenports by Krystal Marquis

Set in 1910, The Davenports weaves a stunning tale of love, family, and ambition. Olivia Davenport dreams of fulfilling her duty by marrying well, but meeting civil rights leader Washington DeWight changes everything. 

Meanwhile, her sister Helen has eyes for cars—and someone else’s suitor—while their maid, Amy-Rose, harbors feelings for Olivia’s brother, John. This book delivers swoon-worthy moments against a backdrop of historical intrigue, offering a rare glimpse into the lives of a wealthy Black family during a transformative era.

🌟 Our "Daughters of Expectation” YA book box was a big hit, featuring this lush romance paired with three dazzling gifts that added a magical touch!

Kismat Connection by Ananya Devarajan

Astrology meets romance in this charming story about challenging fate and trusting the stars—or defying them entirely. Madhuri Iyer is convinced she can prove her family curse wrong and chart her own destiny. 

To do this, she ropes her best friend, Arjun, into a fake relationship experiment. What she doesn’t expect is to start falling for him. Arjun, who has secretly loved her for years, becomes the ultimate wild card in her carefully planned life. Kismat Connection explores the idea of destiny, love, and whether we’re truly in control of our hearts.

🌟Experience the "Written In The Stars” Book Box: This dreamy summer read was paired with four fantastic gifts that made the romance even more special!

The Getaway List by Emma Lord

This one is for those of you who have been craving a story about rediscovery and new beginnings. The Getaway List is the perfect Valentine’s Day read!

Riley has spent so much of her high school life trying to be the perfect daughter that she’s forgotten who she really is. Determined to reclaim her sense of adventure, Riley moves to New York for the summer to reconnect with her childhood best friend, Tom. 

Together, they tackle their shared bucket list of chaotic adventures, but Riley soon realizes her feelings for Tom might have changed. This heartwarming novel reminds us that the biggest adventures often lead straight to the heart.

🌟 The magic of our February 2024 YA “Big Apple Adventures” Book Box: This box featured The Getaway List and four incredible gifts that brought this romantic read to life, one page at a time.

Conclusion

It really doesn’t matter if you’re into sunshine romances, historical love stories, or heartfelt coming-of-age tales, these YA love stories are perfect Valentine’s Day companions. 

Our YA book boxes take your chosen romance to the next level so don’t wait, dive into the pages and let our exciting gifts bring the stories to life.

Why not subscribe and save and never miss an exciting box again?

Happy reading! ❤️

If you enjoyed this blog, we think you will love Stars and Sorcery: Navigating Love in Fantasy Worlds.